ITALY’S KITING HOLIDAY HOT-SPOTS

SICILY

“On the western edge of the island, close to Trapani, a vast 2,000 hectare non-tidal lagoon works in all wind directions. If flat water’s your bag, it’s quite a mind-blowing sight.”

Just a short flight from Rome and within ‘kicking distance’ of the Italian mainland, Sicily has grown to become one of Italy’s better known kiting locations in the last few years. It has a very unique feel and was, after all, the setting and inspiration for the Godfather movies!

Sicilians are fiercely proud of their traditions and customs, something the Italians refer to as ‘campanilismo’ - a feeling of belonging to one’s home region above your country. Up until 200 years ago, many Sicilians still spoke their own dialect.

Besides regionalist pride and a history of mostly eradicated organised crime, you’ll also find the biggest flat water kite spot in Europe at Lo Stagnone. On the western edge of the island, close to Trapani, a vast 2,000 hectare non-tidal lagoon works in all wind directions. If flat water’s your bag, it’s quite a mind-blowing sight.

Although it’s entirely flat and unaffected by tides, Lo Stagnone can still offer diverse conditions depending on the wind direction. South winds are warm with plenty of lift and perfect for big kite boosting. The prevailing wind comes from the north and allows you to ride a smaller kite in ultra-flat water in the lee of the island that sits in the middle of the lagoon. Seagrass and reeds beneath the surface help keep the water even glassier still close in to the shore, where it can feel like you’re kiting across silk.

There’s more super-flat water to be found if you